Once the calendar turns over to March, American sports fans have only one thing on their mind – the NCAA Tournament. Each year, 68 teams play in the massive three-week competition to decide the best team in college basketball.
While neutral viewers tune in to see how their bracket is doing or to witness a historic upset, fans of the best teams will hope their team can make a deep run and become a part of history by winning the NCAA championship.
To determine the last 30 NCAA Tournament champions, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from sports statistics site Sports Reference. No tournament was held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the last 30 years, the NCAA Tournament has seen a mix of blue blood programs and teams without a rick basketball history both win the title. Also in that time, schools like Duke and UConn have gone from schools with almost no basketball history, to perennial powerhouses.
In the last 30 years, 16 different schools have cut down the nets as March Madness champions (though one school technically had their title vacated due to NCAA rules infractions). Six different schools won multiple titles in that time, including one program that won five championships in the past three decades.
Click here to see the last 30 March Madness champions
2021
> Champion: Baylor
> Most outstanding player: Jared Butler
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2019
> Champion: Virginia
> Most outstanding player: Kyle Guy
2018
> Champion: Villanova
> Most outstanding player: Donte DiVincenzo
2017
> Champion: UNC
> Most outstanding player: Joel Berry
2016
> Champion: Villanova
> Most outstanding player: Ryan Arcidiacono
2015
> Champion: Duke
> Most outstanding player: Tyus Jones
2014
> Champion: UConn
> Most outstanding player: Shabazz Napier
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2013
> Champion: Louisville (Vacated)
> Most outstanding player: Luke Hancock
2012
> Champion: Kentucky
> Most outstanding player: Anthony Davis
2011
> Champion: UConn
> Most outstanding player: Kemba Walker
2010
> Champion: Duke
> Most outstanding player: Kyle Singler
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2009
> Champion: UNC
> Most outstanding player: Wayne Ellington
2008
> Champion: Kansas
> Most outstanding player: Mario Chalmers
2007
> Champion: Florida
> Most outstanding player: Corey Brewer
2006
> Champion: Florida
> Most outstanding player: Joakim Noah
2005
> Champion: UNC
> Most outstanding player: Sean May
2004
> Champion: UConn
> Most outstanding player: Emeka Okafor
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2003
> Champion: Syracuse
> Most outstanding player: Carmelo Anthony
2002
> Champion: Maryland
> Most outstanding player: Juan Dixon
2001
> Champion: Duke
> Most outstanding player: Shane Battier
2000
> Champion: Michigan State
> Most outstanding player: Mateen Cleaves
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1999
> Champion: UConn
> Most outstanding player: Richard Hamilton
1998
> Champion: Kentucky
> Most outstanding player: Jeffrey Sheppard
1997
> Champion: Arizona
> Most outstanding player: Miles Simon
1996
> Champion: Kentucky
> Most outstanding player: Tony Delk
1995
> Champion: UCLA
> Most outstanding player: Ed O’Bannon
1994
> Champion: Arkansas
> Most outstanding player: Corliss Williamson
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1993
> Champion: UNC
> Most outstanding player: Donald Williams
1992
> Champion: Duke
> Most outstanding player: Bobby Hurley
1991
> Champion: Duke
> Most outstanding player: Christian Laettner
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